Scientists have recently found that mice are surprisingly helpful to their fellow rodents in need. In a fascinating study published in Science, researchers observed mice trying to revive unconscious companions by licking their faces and even tugging at their mouths and tongues.
Interestingly, the more time a mouse spent with another mouse, the more intense their rescue efforts became. Those that were familiar with the unconscious mouse showed a higher level of care, leading to quicker recovery. “This study highlights an instinctive response to help,” says Dr. Wenjian Sun, the lead researcher from the University of Southern California. “It’s the first documented evidence of such behavior in untrained mice.”
This behavior isn’t unique to mice. Animals like dolphins, elephants, and chimps have been known to help injured or sick companions. Dr. Sun pointed out that various caring actions are common across species, but the specific actions observed in this study—like biting and pulling on tongues—hadn’t been documented before.
During the study, mice that came across a stressed or unconscious partner were much more engaged. They spent an average of 47% of the 13-minute test interacting with their unconscious companions. At first, the interactions were gentle—sniffing and licking—but as time passed, they became more vigorous. Over half of the mice even pulled at their partner’s tongue.
What’s even more intriguing is that these mice could sense when their companions were unconscious without needing to see them. They instinctively began their caring actions even in the dark. The more intense the grooming, the faster the unconscious mice woke up. As soon as a mouse regained consciousness, the other stopped the grooming.
While it seems that mice have a natural tendency to help each other, researchers are still puzzled about why. Dr. Sun remarks, “It’s unclear if these actions are purely instinctive or if there is a conscious intent behind them.” Studies show that oxytocin—a hormone linked to social bonding—may play a significant role in this behavior. Research from the University of California, Los Angeles, also published in Science, indicates that the release of oxytocin in certain brain regions triggers these helping behaviors. Blocking oxytocin receptors impaired the mice’s ability to offer assistance, confirming its key role in their emergency response.
This revelation about mice opens up exciting questions about the roots of altruism in animals. Could understanding these instinctive responses help us learn more about empathy and social behavior across species, including humans? It’s a powerful reminder that compassion may not be a solely human trait.
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